Press Release

For immediate release

Canada’s New Government Supports

Megantic English-Speaking Community Development Corporation

THETFORD MINES, Quebec, August 28, 2007 – On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State (Agriculture) and Member of Parliament (Mégantic–l’Érable), today announced $140,000 in funding over two years for the Megantic English-Speaking Community Development Corporation (MCDC). These funds will support the activities and services planned for the next two years.

Mr. Paradis also announced $18,200 in funding for a feasibility study on the possibility of a community centre for members of the English-speaking community in the greater Thetford Mines area.

“Through various official‑language support programs, our Government encourages activities that effectively contribute to the development of communities like the Anglophone community served by the MCDC,” said Minister Verner.

“The Megantic English-Speaking Community Development Corporation is vital to the development of the Anglophone community in the regional municipalities of Amiante, Lotbinière, and l’Érable,” said Secretary of State Paradis. “Our Government’s support will allow the corporation to offer quality services and activities, which will increase the vitality of this community.”

“We are thankful to the Government of Canada for its financial support, which is an extraordinary demonstration of confidence in our organization. This clearly demonstrates that this Government believes in our corporation’s ability to offer programming suited to the needs of the Anglophone community we serve,” said Ann Marie Powell, President of the Megantic English-Speaking Community Development Corporation.

The Megantic English-Speaking Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organization created in 2000. It offers community services, facilitates access to health and social services, organizes cultural activities in English for all age groups, and informs English-speaking young people of employment opportunities in the region.

Canada’s New Government has provided this funding through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Development of Official-Language Communities component of its Official Languages Support Program. This program has the mandate to enhance the vitality of Canada’s French and English linguistic minorities, support their development, and to promote the full recognition and use of French and English in Canadian society.

For additional information, please contact :

Suzanne Aubre, Executive Director - MCDC
Tel : (418) 332-3851 / e-mail : mcdc@bellnet.ca

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